“innerview” – 20th anniversary of brain tumor

Couple weeks ago, I shared the story of Chad who was celebrating 20 years of life after being diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 12. This past weekend, we had a chance to “innerview” him and shared the video below at the Quest Church services.

As a pastor, I know I’m not supposed to have “favorites” but there’s something about Chad that just encourages my soul. If you have six minutes, check out his story. While it’s unique, it’s really like all of our stories…our need for community and Christ.

Please take a few moments to read this story of hope, courage, and faith – not lived in isolation but in community. Chad was diagnosed with brain tumor 20 years ago. His future was uncertain but 20 years later, he has been a source of great courage, inspiration, and blessing to so many.

I first “met” Chad over email. He randomly emailed me years ago. He introduced himself, shared he might be moving to Seattle from Chicago, and offered his friendship and prayers. I thought he was weird until I finally met him and realized that his correspondence was genuine. He is one amazing guy. I later met his fiancee and eventually had the privilege of flying out to Iowa to officiate their wedding. Yes, some pastors have all the luck.

This month, Chad celebrated the 20th year anniversary of his brain tumor diagnosis that has forever changed his life. He was twelve then and doctors were unsure what the future would hold for him. But over the last 20 years, Chad has lived to bless so many people. Last night, I had the privilege of joining a “celebration of life” with Chad and his wife, Melinda, their family, and a bunch of folks in the church community group. With permission, I am sharing a gliimpse of his story as shared by his wife, Melinda and his family.

Twenty years ago this month, Chad was diagnosed with the brain tumor that has changed our lives forever. Your prayers through the years have sustained and strengthened each of us. We have learned so much about God’s love through your friendship and acts of presence and love. We have learned new ways to trust. We know that God’s promises are true. We thank you for your part in our lives, in the story of our faith.

God has answered many prayers along the way. Chad completed high school. The whole family went with him on his Make A Wish trip to France and visited old friends. He went to college in Canada and in Chicago. We all spent almost a year in Spain as he tried a form of acupuncture. He earned a Masters’ in Family and Marriage Counseling with a Medical Crisis specialty in Seattle. He got married to a wonderful woman named Melinda in August 2003, in Iowa. They have lived in Seattle ever since. Melinda has been a huge gift and support to Chad and a great gift to all the rest of us. Chad has an interesting job. As of September 2007 he has been working in the Bilingual Orientation Campus for junior high and high school students who’ve moved to Seattle from 40 different countries, and are learning to fit into the US school system. He knows what it’s like to be different, to learn a new language and culture, and to stand out visually.

We continue to pray for physical healing for Chad, but we’re thankful for the ways God is using him in our lives to be a blessing. People around the world have prayed for him. What a strength that connection is! What a common thread and connection prayer is! We are so thankful! And we continue to pray for Chad, as we pray for so many others who enter our lives. The surrounding culture celebrates strength, independent action, beauty and ability; we have learned from Chad’s example to live with our weakness and God’s strength. Chad has lived it before us. He still sleeps with a machine to help him breathe, though the technology has improved and the machine is small and light. He has a forearm brace named “Silver” for walks and a motorized cart for longer distances. He still speaks softly, has some trouble swallowing, can’t feel the edges of his skin (like the bottoms of his feet, for instance), and has learned to live with spasms in the optic nerve that leave him in a fog, unable to see. He is still stubborn and has a disarming, quirky sense of humor. He is very human.

Please celebrate with us God’s gift of Chad’s presence. His surgery was on April 28th, 1988.

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20 Responses

This is a beautiful story. I don’t know Chad personally but one of my dear friends was diagnosed with a brain tumor several years ago. I was so moved by her strength and hope. Reading this story reminds me of the power of hope, faith, and love.

Hey Chad! Congratulations on the milestone! I remember you quite well, you were so friendly and welcoming. You were one of the first people to make me feel welcome at Quest and I am so happy to have known you.
Keep up the good fight man,
-(the other) chad

If this is the same Chad I’m thinking of, I remember him from North Park. Good guy.

(I’m assuming that it is because how many Chads would I know that had a brain tumor, went to college in Chicago, now lives in Seattle, and works in a program that I first heard about through my friend Darrell last year?)

Chad, you are a blessing to all of us. Your kindness and sensitivity in conversations during the merger and transition meant so much to all of us. Thanks to both you and Melinda for your loving presence at Quest.

Thank you, Eugene for sharing this. And thanks to all the people who send words of encouragement. We are so dependant on community and appreciate the people of Quest, our family, small group and other friends around the world who are praying for us and support us. May God continue to amaze us.

Yes, it’s true.
We still pray for complete physical healing, as it tells us to do in the Bible. But God’s peace has been a huge part of this process, and the spirit of Love Jesus promised is true, true, true. The process of living is in the daily choices we make. Chad, you’ve helped us live life one day at the time, and enjoy it! We thank God for you, for Melinda, and for the community at Quest. Thanks, Eugene, for sharing the journey with us all!

Thanks to Chad for sharing his story. I often notice how people who have encountered such difficult circumstances have gained a lot of wisdom and peace through their experience. I keep thinking about how Chad said he often does not want to be noticed, but I encourage him that his story is powerful and that others have so much to learn from him…. Your story is a blessing!!

This is such a heart warming story. Cody is blessed by God’s hand and I fully understand what his family has and is going through. I have a nephew (will be 12 in September) that has been dealing with brain tumors since he was 6. He has had 6 surgeries and currently looking at surgery #7. Cody has a growth on the stem of the brain that was dormant for almost 5 years. Though Cody has had to learn to ready and write numerous times he has never given up hope. My sister is blessed to live in Kremmling Colorado where the school system is wonderful. Cody is still attending school with the same classmates that he started with. Cody you are an inspiration to us all. God bless you.